IntroductionWelcome to the Rushcroft Football Development Centre website. This course is a wonderful opportunity for players who are passionate about developing their football and who wish to continue full time education.

Football Focus

Vision:

Technically and tactically talented.

Clever and creative on the ball.

Outstanding decision making skills.

Coaching Aims

Enhance technical, tactical understanding, along with decision making skills of both the individual and team.

Course Outline

A full time programme (2 years) of football and education for students aged 16 – 19 to start in September 2018 (summer development camp August 2018, delivered by the ex-England U18 Manager/ex-first team coach at Arsenal).

Access to first class training facilities on a brand new full size 3G.

Comprehensive match programme including opportunities to play competitive matches in the prestigious ECFA League/Essex Colleges Premier League. There is also the opportunity to access games with our official league partner, Colchester United Football Club, as well as linked clubs at semi-professional/senior level. We also enter the FA Youth Cup and various national and county cups.

Invitational opportunities to train with Colchester United Football Club.

Showcase matches with professional academies.

Progression routes for players achieving the required standard into Academies/U21 and scholarships in the USA.

Opportunities to complete FA L1/2 awards (funded by Rushcroft Football Development Centre).Additional courses have included FA L1, Refereeing, ‘Sports Makers’ and L2 Instructing Fitness and Exercise.

Full time academic course – Level 3 BTEC Diplomas (equivalent to 2 A levels) in Sport & Exercise Science. Resits available in English and Maths.

Players will have the opportunity to attend an overseas biennial football and education tour to the USA.

Players will receive a comprehensive package of playing and training kit, which again is both discounted and subsidised.

Students’/players’ academic and football progress is monitored closely.

Entry Requirements

A positive reference from the student’s school/college.

Player to complete a successful football trial.

Players should be of good school standard or above.

Successful interview with Academy/Sixth Form staff.

Offers dependent on GCSE/BTEC Level 2 grades.

Expectations of Students

Commitment to their football development and academic course.

To abide by school rules and code of conduct.

Rushcroft’s Football Successes

Six players have progressed onto professional football from Rushcroft, including 3 with Premier League experience.

The FootballAcademy has 4 Ambassadors, two of whom are ex-Rushcroft students, namely Curtis Davies – ex-West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, BirminghamCity, and now playing for Hull City, along with Lee Butcher – ex Arsenal, Spurs and Leyton Orient. Both of these Ambassadors were taught by the Academy Director and regularly visit the FootballAcademy players. We are now also delighted and privileged to include our 2 new Ambassadors, Tom Lapslie and Jack Curtis, first team squad players at Colchester United Football Club, both of whom were coached by our Academy's Director of Football Mr Ashworth when they represented their district football team. We are also delighted to announce former student Femi Coker as our USA ambassador.